(315e) Synthesis of Sustainable and Stable Latex of Biopolymer Encapsulated Nanolignin-Clay Hybrid Via Miniemulsion Polymerization

Synthesis of sustainable and stable latex of biopolymer encapsulated
nanolignin-clay hybrid via miniemulsion polymerization

Suguna
Jairam, Zhaohui Tong*

Agricultural
and Biological Engineering Department, IFAS, University of Florida,

Gainesville,
FL, 32611-0570

Email:
ztong@ufl.edu

Everyday
usage of water-borne dispersions (latex) cannot be understated, with wide areas
of application ranging from usage in packaging, medicine, to food and
structure. Stable and sustainable latex from
renewable resources will attract a lot interest due to its advantages of better
environmental concern, easy manipulation and energy saving. In addition, the
lack in enhanced functionality of these latexes demands an improvement of their
properties such as anti-microbial properties, barrier to heat, gas and
moisture, UV-protection and mechanical properties. Therefore, this project aims
to synthesize a novel water-borne dispersion encapsulating nano-lignin/clay
hybrid in a bio-based acrylated polymer derived from bio-based glycerol and/or
free fatty acids from waste stream of biodiesel. Preliminary studies were
performed on the synthesis of nanolignin-clay hybrid and the encapsulation of
this hybrid into polymer to form stable latex.  The lignin extracted from bioethanol process was
modified to quaternary ammonium lignin and it can be loaded on the clay surface
to produce an organophilic hybrid. FTIR analysis of clay before and after
lignin addition showed successful binding and thermogravimetric analysis of the
hybrid showed about 32% (by weight) loading of lignin on clay.  Furthermore, miniemulsion polymerization was
applied for the encapsulation of organophilic hybrid into both petroleum- and
bio-based polymer and stable latex was formed. X-ray diffraction demonstrated
the intercalation of nanohybrid in the polymer matrix. The property results
showed that the encapsulation of nanolignin-clay hybrid improved tensile
strength and thermal stability of final latex film.